Z.I.P.

From the Wiki page on the 1999 NCAA tournament: "This tournament is also historically notable as the coming-out party for Gonzaga as a rising mid-major power. The Bulldogs became the nation's basketball darlings during a run to the West Regional final in which they defeated three major-conference powers, including 1998 Final Four participant Stanford, and took UConn literally to the last minute before losing. Gonzaga has made every NCAA tournament since then, and is now generally considered to be a high-major program despite its mid-major conference affiliation." Dan Monson left for Minnesota the following season.

He well may have had the same idea that another Akron-connected guard had when HE transferred to the Beach two yrs ago -- remember that Evan Payne had a "Final List" of Xavier, Iowa State and Okla State, and wound up with the 49ers? I don't know the exact story -- I'll see if I can find more! However, while Dan Monson has had little success with LBSU, he IS the guy who turned Gonzaga from a mid-major into a national power, and he is very well regarded nationally. I think he MUST be, or he wouldn't still be coaching at the Beach, everything (esp last few seasons) considered. Looking at his overall record, I may have been a little overharsh on Monson -- though he has trailed off with three of his last four seasons having losing records, there is plenty of success. The Big West, though largely low-major is not an easy place to win consistently. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Monson

I just saw on an Oregon newspaper site that Duvivier did not play at all last year, for "personal reasons". So, despite graduating, he may have two years remaining.

How about Deng Riak, 4-Star PF from Down Under verbal commitment, Akron? 6-10, 225 per Verbalcommits.com Edit: I see he's transfer from East Carolina with two years remaining. Played sparingly for ECU.

Well, if Darlington loses by one vote you can all blame me! lol I accidentally clicked on the wrong pic, because they are all so TINY! And it appears he is tied for first at 47%. Well, apparently it allows you to vote as many times as you want/are able! I went back and voted for DN (TWICE!) lol

Cole Pittis was an assistant at Eastern Florida CC this past season -- which is where former Akron guard Niles Evans played. Not sure if they have any more prospects that he and Groce may be interested in, but here is this year's roster if anyone has time to research. http://efsctitans.com/sports/mbkb/2016-17/roster

If he had asked, I'm sure he could have gotten an offer from Hawai'i!

Just to let those who aren't familiar with the history, IMG Academy is far more than the "Findlay Prep of Florida". It was founded in the 70s as the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, where Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert were trained before their legendary careers. Take a look at the wiki site, and see that the school offers luxury class accommodations to potential phenoms in many sports. The locale has been the home for the US Soccer U-16/U17 National teams residential academy. and among those who attended were several Zips, including this one: https://www.imgacademy.com/soccer-alumni-and-trainees/zarek-valentin

And now we can all ask once again: "Who is Cole Pittis" I'm looking forward to meeting the new DBO as we get closer to the Diamond Head Classic.

Formerly Ass't to Keith Dambrot, Head Coach. Hope this doesn't upset too many who were looking for a #CleanBreak from the past. http://www.gozips.com/sports/mbkb/2015-16/roster

Here's a very nice press release from Internationals SC. http://www.neosportsinsiders.com/sarver-named-head-coach-u-s-u-19-womens-national-team/

Here is a VERY mysterious tweet I noticed recently, from a Texas-based (edit: Philly actually) NPSL club. They told me there was no connection to Darlington, but the coincidence is just too strange...

I think that, interestingly -- or amazingly, depending on your perspective -- the Akron athletic department has never seen the advantages to making an investment in the women's game. Not anywhere near the extent of the men's program, but just in hiring a 'name' coach. Not to disrespect the current coach, who I don't know at all, but Keri had won multiple national level awards for coaching at youth level. Likely, she was making more $$$ with the Internationals than UA could pay her -- as is the reality in soccer coaching. I was working with Vernon to bring the team to HI, but then he departed... Oh, well. I understand they are only allowed a trip W of the Mississippi every four years! lol

As long as this thread is here... TDS tweeted this morning that Cleveland Internationals' Director of Women's Coaching Keri Sarver, the former Akron assistant coach (years -- from about 2009-2014??) will be taking over as the new head coach of the US Women's U-19 National Team. That is pretty amazing, and quite surprising. Keri is a Jackson High School grad and former Maryland all-America who played in the WUSA and other pro leagues for several years, and was in USWNT camps, but apparently never capped for the national team. The tweet from TDS: Here is Keri's bio from GoZips.com: http://www.gozips.com/sports/wsoc/coaches/KeriSarverBio?view=bio

You may well be right, fknbuflobo. Remember the eye rolling when Caleb, early in his Akron career spring sked Rio Grande? I think the game(s) was quite close. Hard to tell in an essentially practice or scrimmage situation. Coaches aren't looking at the same things as "fans". In any case, I credit myself for the clarification on the sked. At first they merely wrote "Charleston" on the tweet they sent, and I asked for clarification -- is it the College of Charleston or Charleston Battery? Ends up -- way lower! lol

Or even better: "Anyone who saw us play last year could see that our guards were too slow on defense; repeatedly allowing penetration which broke down the defense. We need to be quicker at the guard positions". Welcome back to the future, Keith!

Damn! Only time I took a trip like that was from USAF Basic Training (Lackland AFB, TX) to Tech School (Keesler AFB, MS), and it was under 8 hours, with lunch stop in Baton Rouge. And the next day, had to march in a Mardi Gras parade in Charley Spikes' hometown, Bogalusa, LA. As far as "distance" goes, I think Akron was the nearest site of a D1 scholly for Antino. Seems like he has vastly improved his marketability in 3 years!

Article from Rob Fulford's hiring at Mizzou. I know two of his recruits, Stefan Jankovich and Webster-Chan who both transferred to Hawaii. FWIW, Chan was maybe the best pure shooter I've ever seen in my life! http://www.rockmnation.com/2014/10/6/6896487/rob-fulford-the-new-breed

I just discovered on Gozips.com that there are already two new coaches listed: Kevin Byrne, former Head Coach at Ohio Northern, an Akron native; and (a GA), Allen Deep, just a year out of Indiana U, Pennsylvania. Imagine there will be announcements soon for these, and this will be a place to discuss incoming and prospective coaching staff hires. http://www.gozips.com/sports/mbkb/coaches/coachesindex

There's an interesting note: @HighmajorScoop tweeted in response to a 'X' fan that Bragg is a likely mid-low major transfer. Not sure what to say to that. Has his stock sunk that low after a decent 1st year at KU?

He would cancel it if he is afraid of finishing in 8th place. Shows that there may be some confidence in house.

With the change in administrations, there's no way of being sure if the pre-recorded OOC sched will hold. For instance, that tournament -- the DHC just announced that Utah State is dropping out -- and immediately being replaced by Princeton, a significant upgrade.

Only if the animal can be legally hunted!

FYI, the dad has an Akron JD. So I would have high expectations from the Williams kids!